Tuesday – Anything Possible – Kreative Kue #270 by Keith Channing

July 7, 2020July 6, 2020 ~ John W. Howell ~ 51 Comments

In Keith’s words.

“Using this photo (below) as inspiration, write a short story, flash fiction, scene, poem; anything, really; even just a caption for the photograph. Either put it (or a link to it) in a comment or email it to me at keithchanning@gmail.com before 6pm next Sunday (if you aren’t sure what the time is where I live, this link will tell you). If you post it on your own blog or site, a link to this page would be appreciated, but please do also mention it in a comment here.

Go on. You know you want to. Let your creativity and imagination soar. I shall display the entries next Monday.”

The photo.

Kreative Kue #270

“Hey, boss.”

“Yeah. What is it?”

“Can you give me a boost up there with you?”

“I’m not staying up here. I’m coming down.”

“What are you doing up there in the first place?”

“Not that you would be interested I was just seeing how much room we had on top.”

“How much room? Why?”

“Well, the Mother in Law is coming for a visit, and we need a place for her to stay.”

“Please don’t tell me you were going to put her on the roof.”

“I was thinking we could put up a tent. It would be pretty comfortable.”

“How’s she going to get up there?”

“Just like me. Climb the ladder.”

“You can’t be serious?”

“Well, we are running out of room inside. I am just exploring the options.”

“Seems like a foolhardy idea.”

“This coming from a dog who chases cars.”

“I don’t chase them. I just bark at them.”

“Whatever. The point is we need to make room in the camper.”

“But to have that poor old lady struggle up the ladder to a hot mosquito-filled tent just seems cruel.”

“Maybe you would like to take her place.”

“She seems pretty fit. I think the ladder and tent will be a good solution for her. When’s dinner?’

“As soon as I get down.”

“Want me to catch you?”

“That’s okay. I can do it myself.”

Tuesday – Anything Possible – Kreative Kue #269 by Keith Channing

June 30, 2020June 30, 2020 ~ John W. Howell ~ 55 Comments

In Keith’s words.

Go on. You know you want to. Let your creativity and imagination soar. I shall display the entries next Monday.”

The photo.

Kreative Kue # 269

“So, what is it?”

“Appears to be a dog.”

“Well, that’s crazy. No one sends a dog through the post.”

“It looks like that’s exactly what happened.”

“Get the poor fellow a drink. He must be thirsty.”

“Water?”

“No, you idiot. Get him a big glass of whiskey. Maybe what he doesn’t finish you can have.”

“A woman after my own heart.”

“Of course, water.”

“Yes, I’m going.”

“Oh, poor puppy. I can’t imagine who would do this to you.”

“Look on the return address.”

“Huh?”

“Here’s the water. I put it in a bowl. I said, look at the return address. That will tell us who sent this beautiful puppy.”

“Don’t start with a ‘beautiful puppy.’ This dog’s not staying.”

“Aw, look at his eyes. Look how much he appreciates the water.”

“My foot is down.”

“He seems to be a pure-bred Jack Russell too.”

“So, where did he come from?”

“Let me see. Ah, yes, here it is. The return address is—Wait a minute. This box says it was mailed from London. That would be impossible.”

“So, what does the return address say?”

“It is from the Reliable Battery Company in London.”

“Why would they mail a dog?”

“I think we have been tricked. Look here the mailing address has been ripped off. This box was placed on our porch by someone local. Someone who used a box that they received batteries in. This poor thing is unwanted.”

“I have to wonder about the length of time that it took to figure that out.”

“Okay, so I thought it came in the post. What about the dog.”

“I’ll give it some of last night’s meat. Then it has to go.”

“Where?”

“To the vet. We need to get a check-up and some real dog food.”

“Then, we are keeping him?”

“Just until the real owner shows up.”

“That could be a while.”

“I’m counting on that.”

“You are not such a tough old bird, you know.”

“Don’t tell the greengrocer. I have him fooled.”

“Your secret is safe with me.”

“Or I’ll blacken your eye.”

“That’s my girl.”

Tuesday – Anything Possible – Kreative Kue #267 by Keith Channing

June 16, 2020June 15, 2020 ~ John W. Howell ~ 45 Comments

In Keith’s words. “Using this photo (below) as inspiration, write a short story, flash fiction, scene, poem; anything, really; even just a caption for the photograph. Either put it (or a link to it) in a comment or email it to me at keithchanning@gmail.com before 6pm next Sunday (if you aren’t sure what the time is where I live, this link will tell you). If you post it on your own blog or site, a link to this page would be appreciated, but please do also mention it in a comment here.

Go on. You know you want to. Let your creativity and imagination soar. I shall display the entries next Monday.”

The photo.

Kreative Kue #267

“My goodness. Come here m’love.”

“What is it, Reggie?”

“I’m just reviewing our doorbell video and didn’t realize it before.”

“Realize what?”

“The mountains.”

“What mountains?”

“That’s exactly what I’m saying.”

“I hope I haven’t had a stroke cause I’m not understanding anything right now.”

“Here, look at this video.”

“Okay, what. am I seeing?”

“It’s not what you are seeing it’s what’s not there.”

“Tell me what’s not there?”

“Darling for heaven’s sake. The mountains.”

“The mountains.”

“Quit sounding like a magpie. There are no mountains.”

“I can see that.”

“Where did they go?”

“Huh?”

“Earth to Major Dan. Hello.”

“Okay, Reggie. You need to take a chill.”

“What do you mean ?”

“You keep talking about the mountains.”

“That is what I’m trying to say. The mountains are missing.”

“They are not missing, Reggie. We have no mountains.”

“But they were there this morning.”

“This morning?”

“I woke up and saw them.”

“Before you took that fall?”

“What fall?”

“You caught your heel on the stair. You said you were all right. I believed you. Now you are acting strange.”

“I don’t remember a fall, Blanch.”

“It was right after breakfast. Never mind that now. I think we have more to worry about than the fall Reggie.”

“What’s that?”

“What town is this?”

“Where we live?”

“Yes.”

“For heaven’s sake. It’s Zurich, Blanch. What are you doing?”

“Calling 9-1-1.”

“Why?”

“We are in the UK.”

“So, a little mistake.”

“My name is Beatrice.”

“A big mistake.”

Also if you haven’t, go check out Story Empire. There is an announcement over there that makes me very happy. Here is the link.

Tuesday – Anything Possible – Kreative Kue #266 by Keith Channing

June 9, 2020June 8, 2020 ~ John W. Howell ~ 45 Comments

In Keith’s words.

Go on. You know you want to. Let your creativity and imagination soar. I shall display the entries next Monday.”

The photo

Kreative Kue #266

“Well, sweetheart, are you ready?”

“I am m’love.”

“As soon as the photo is taken, we need to get into the wagon and start toward Paris.”

“Okay, then that’s it. The photo is taken. We need to say goodbye to our children.”

“We will miss them.”

“It is only for a little while. That will be perfectly safe here.”

“I know it’s just sad that they can’t come with us.”

“You know that the journey will be rough, and it seems cruel to subject them to hardship.”

“I know you are right. Okay, let’s go. The sooner we start, the sooner we’ll be there.”

“That’s my man. You do know that Paris is a two-week wagon trip from here. right?”

“Yes, you’ve explained it. What I don’t understand is why we are taking a wagon when we have a perfectly good Peugeot in the garage.”

“Remember when I said we need to make a grand entrance when we arrive in Paris.”

“Yes, I do.”

“That gypsy wagon will be the best show possible.”

“Tell me again why you are wearing garlic and me pomegranates.”

“To ward off the evil magic on the trail.”

“Thought maybe it would be mosquitoes. Also, why the mustache?”

“You know full well the Mime business is a man’s world. If I’m to get even a notice, I need to make people believe that it doesn’t matter that I’m a woman.”

“So when we get to the audition, you are going to pretend to be a man?”

“No. I’m just going to cast doubt on a preconceived notion.”

“All very confusing, but you do what you need to do.”

“Easy for you to say since you look like a man.”

“What do you mean look.”

“Let’s just get going, shall we?”

“Who’s driving?”

“Me.”

“Figures.”

Tuesday – Anything Possible – Kreative Kue #265

June 2, 2020June 1, 2020 ~ John W. Howell ~ 36 Comments

In Keiths words. “Using this photo (below) as inspiration, write a short story, flash fiction, scene, poem; anything, really; even just a caption for the photograph. Either put it (or a link to it) in a comment or email it to me at keithchanning@gmail.com before 6pm next Sunday (if you aren’t sure what the time is where I live, this link will tell you). If you post it on your own blog or site, a link to this page would be appreciated, but please do also mention it in a comment here.

Go on. You know you want to. Let your creativity and imagination soar. I shall display the entries next Monday.”

The Photo.

Kreative Kue #265

“Look out for that cart.”

“Yeah, I’m clear of it. Thanks for the warning, though.”

“I’m telling you these folks heading for their tea are downright dangerous.”

“Don’t you think it ironic the woman is in a cart, and the Tea place is named the Tea Caddy?”

“It sort of caught my funny bone, yes.”

“Next, we’ll be seeing golf balls dropping on the street.”

“Yes, and men in golf shoes click-clacking all over the place.”

“Good thing we are pretty far from the golf course, or this could be a reality.”

“So where to now?”

“How about we head over to the fabric store. There are some tweeds that I have been dying to check out.”

“Tweeds?”

“Yeah, I might want to have a jacket made.”

“For what occasion?”

“Nothing special. Just to have it.”

“I don’t think I’ve ever seen you in anything but a t-shirt.”

“I know. I think it’s time to upgrade a little. I might want to have something that doesn’t have advertising on it.”

“Boy, that just doesn’t sound like you. Everything okay?”

“Just because I want a jacket?”

“How are you and Steve getting along?”

“Just fine. It’s just a jacket.”

“You having an affair?’

“Oh please. Never mind. Let’s just go to the t-shirt place and see if there is anything fun there.”

“If you don’t want to tell me, that’s okay. I’m just your best friend is all.”

“There is nothing to tell.”

“I might want to look at some tweeds.”

“Is Ralph cheating on you?”

“No. Me looking at tweeds is normal. You not so much.”

“How about some ice-cream?”

“You depressed?”

“For gosh sakes.”

“I got it, right?”

“It’s just ice cream.”

“Sure,”

Tuesday – Anything Possible – Kreative Kue #263 by Keith Channing.

May 19, 2020May 18, 2020 ~ John W. Howell ~ 77 Comments

In Keith’s words.

“Using this photo (below)as inspiration, write a short story, flash fiction, scene, poem; anything, really; even just a caption for the photograph. Either put it (or a link to it) in a comment or email it to me at keithchanning@gmail.com before 6pm next Sunday (if you aren’t sure what the time is where I live, this link will tell you). If you post it on your own blog or site, a link to this page would be appreciated, but please do also mention it in a comment here.

Go on. You know you want to. Let your creativity and imagination soar. I shall display the entries next Monday.”

The photo.

Kreative Kue # 263

“Harold, come here.”

“What m’love?”

“Look out the window over there. Just beyond the trees.”

“What am I looking for?”

“Don’t you see above the trees what looks like some kind of antenna?”

“Oh, now I do. Would you look at that? Them government people are checking on us.”

“Checking on us? Whatever for?”

“I think they are checking to see if we are maintaining the shelter in place rules.”

“Couldn’t it be they are looking at someone else?”

“Bertie. Think about it. What other houses are there around us? We are the only one here.”

“What do we do then?”

‘Well, we are sheltering in place according to the rules.”

“I just don’t like being watched. I mean a couple of over the hill pensioners like us. Don’t they have anything better to do?”

“I see your point. It is a matter of personal freedom. It’s bad enough being cooped up here without some snooper team checking up. I’m going to get something.”

“Don’t you lower yourself to go down there and talk to them, Herold.”

“I have no intention of talking.”

“What are you going to do?”

“I have something here in the closet.”

“What is that thing?”

“This, my dear, is an MK153 shoulder-launched multipurpose assault weapon.”

“Goodness, where did you get that thing.”

“Amazon prime.”

“What are you going to do?”

“Take out that snooper thingy.”

“Won’t you get into trouble?”

“A gray-haired old fart like me. What are they going to do? Shoot me?”

“Maybe. Might shoot me too.”

“You know I never thought of that. Okay, maybe we try to ignore that thing.”

“Nah. Take it out. Harold.”

Tuesday – Anything Possible – Kreative Kue #262 by Keith Channing

May 12, 2020May 11, 2020 ~ John W. Howell ~ 50 Comments

In Keith’s words.

Go on. You know you want to. Let your creativity and imagination soar. I shall display the entries next Monday.

The Photo.

Kreative Kue #262

“Hey, Boss?”

“Where are you. The meeting starts in five minutes.”

“Yeah, I know. It looks like I’m stuck in traffic.”

“Traffic? What does that mean?”

“You know how the morning commute is, Boss. I guess I just timed it wrong.”

“I’m real confused, Spencer. I thought you lived in the high rise behind the office.”

“I do. There has been a complication is all.”

“What kind of complication?”

“Well, you know how I like to compete in bicycle races on the weekends.”

“Yes, but this is Monday. What does a weekend bike race have to do with the fact the meeting with your client is to begin in eight minutes. You know the client that will only do business with his precious Spencer.”

“Yeah, thanks, Boss. It is a little difficult to explain.”

“Why don’t you try?”

“Okay, but I don’t think you are going to be too happy.”

“I’m already not too happy, Spencer. Just spit it out.”

“Okay. I entered a race called the Grand Prix de Manhatten.”

“So far, not too complicated.”

“I actually came in first place.”

“Congratulations. I presume that was yesterday.”

“Yes, sir, it was.”

“So get to the meat.”

“I’m in another race.”

“What? Listen to me. You get out of that race and into this office. I’ll try to stall Mitchem till you get here.”

“You think you can stall him a week?”

“A week? What are you talking about? Get here now.”

“See the thing is this race is in France. I’m cycling toward Reims right now.”

“France. How did you get to France?”

“By plane.”

“I don’t mean how in that way you idiot. I mean, what are you doing in France and don’t tell me cycling.”

“The first prize for the Manhatten race was an entry in the third leg of the Tour de France.”

“Which began this morning.”

“Yeah. I was on a plane, or I would have called.”

“What about Mitchem?”

“Let’s do a Zoom meeting.”

“With you on a bike?”

“Sure. Why not.”

“This better work.”

“Trust me.”

“Sure.”

“Really.”

“Yeah.”

Tuesday – Anything Possible – Kreative Kue # 261 by Keith Channing

May 5, 2020May 4, 2020 ~ John W. Howell ~ 57 Comments

Go on. You know you want to. Let your creativity and imagination soar. I shall display the entries next Monday.”

The photo.

Kreative Kue #261

“Hold on.”

“What.”

“You going out in that?”

“Why not?”

“See those rocks.”

“Yeah, so?”

“You could get hurt.”

“Oh, come on. We will paddle beyond them easy peasy.”

“I don’t know. Looks pretty dangerous.”

“Just think of the waves beyond.”

“Right now, I’m thinking of the wipeout and pain.”

“You have to take your mind off that stuff and think of the beauty and greater objective.”

“Sounds like you have been here before.”

“No. Same as you, this is my first time.”

“Why do you suppose we were dropped on this beach of all places?”

“Folklore has it that our Mama came here since this was her birthplace.”

“I suppose getting into the surf is the bigger goal. Okay, I think I’m ready.”

“Good cause, I see a couple of gulls circling.”

“OMG. We need to move. Why is it turtles have to start their life like this?”

“Just be glad you aren’t a human.”

“Why’s that?”

“I hear tell they poop their pants for almost two years.”

“Okay, with that here I go. See you out there.”

“The las one to the kelp bed is turtle soup.”

Tuesday – Anything Possible – Kreative Kue #260 by Keith Channing

April 28, 2020April 27, 2020 ~ John W. Howell ~ 54 Comments

Go on. You know you want to. Let your creativity and imagination soar. I shall display the entries next Monday.”

The Photo.

Kreative Kue #260

“Hey, Roy. How do you do that?”

“What?”

“Move on the water.”

“Oh, that. I got this new thingy.”

“New thingy? What’s it called?”

“Moo Mover Handbasket.”

“You’re kidding, right?”

“Nah. it’s the latest thing.”

“How does it work?”

“You stand on a board and aim it with your feet.”

“Wow. Who would have thought?”

“Guy Dinkus.”

“Who?”

“The human who invented it. He got tired of slow-moving Moos, so he made this.”

“Does it work on land?”

“That’s what it was developed to do. I’m just using it for fun here in the lake.”

“Where’s the rest of your Moo members.”

“They went off with Guy.”

“Where’d they go?”

“Not sure.”

“How long ago?”

“Ten days.”

“Roy?”

“What?”

“You think Guy did something bad with them?”

“Like what?”

“I heard tell of a place called the abattoir.”

“Abattoir? What the heck is that?”

“It is the Moo equivalent of hell.”

“What goes on there.”

“Moos come in and then come out in little white packages.”

“Goodness, I hope not, but I have an uneasy feeling.”

“Why’s that?”

“The last thing I heard Guy say as we hit the road.”

“By the way. Why aren’t you with the Moo Members?”

“I was but took a wrong turn. Guy never missed me.”

“Okay, so what did he say as you hit the road?”

“Saddle up, ladies. We’re going to hell in a handbasket.”

“You dog.”

“Make that you, Moo. Hahahaha.”

Tuesday – Anything Possible – Kreative Kue #259 by Keith Channing

April 21, 2020April 20, 2020 ~ John W. Howell ~ 53 Comments

In Keith’s words.

Go on. You know you want to. Let your creativity and imagination soar. I shall display the entries next Monday.”

The photo.

Kreative Kue #259

“Ladies and gentlemen. We want to welcome you to our main event tonight. This is a special charity auction to raise funds for the Evergreen Project. For those the few of you who aren’t familiar, the Evergreen Project has as it’s mission to restore the Earth back to a pristine condition that existed prior to the 1800s. Oh, I know. It is a very aggressive goal but that’s not to say it won’t be achieved. It will be people like you who support efforts like this that will make the difference. Tonight we hope to raise ten trillion dollars and coupled with other auctions already held, will bring the total war chest to one-hundred trillion. Yes, that’s right that is trillion with a T. Now unless there are any questions I think we can get started.

Our first item up for a teaser bid to get you in the mood is this beautiful piece of art titled Moon Over Miami. It has been rendered in canvas and oil by the internationally known artist, Keith Channing. I would like to open the bid for twenty million. Do I hear twenty? Yes, sir thank you. How about twenty-five. Thank you, Miss. Now thirty. Yes, sir thank you. Thirty-five? Thank you, Miss. Forty? Do I hear forty? Going once. Going twice. Sold to number 10 for Thirty-five million. Thank you all.

The next item up for bid is Burmuda. This lovely Island can be yours at a very special rate. As a reminder, if you do win the bid for Burmuda it is expected that you will eliminate all life there within a fortnight. Do I hear an opening bid of one trillion? Yes, sir thank you.”